2 in 3 marketers would refuse roles with no flexible working

Taking in the views of professionals across the UK, marketing recruitment specialist EMR’s Salary & Market Report 2018 provides an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the marketing, digital and communications industries.

Flexible working is a ‘must-have’

Among the most notable findings from the survey, the report highlights that flexible working is no longer a nice-to-have but is now essential, as 2 in 3 respondents (66%) stated they would turn down a new role if it doesn’t allow for flexible working or flexitime.

"Employers and marketing leaders need to grasp the seriousness of offering flexibility in their workplaces"

Around one-third (34%) of marketers work flexibly, however, a third of employers still don’t allow flexibility around childcare, which makes pursuing a full-time career in a senior role much more difficult for marketers who are also expected to care for children.

"Employers and marketing leaders need to grasp the seriousness of offering flexibility in their workplaces", asserts Serrol Osman, managing director, EMR. "Though it is comforting to see that 70% of those who care for children are afforded the adaptability they need, that still means 30% of employers don’t allow working parents flexible working arrangements.

"It is vital that parents take advantage of flexible working and resist negotiating their salary in exchange for it. With the rise of flexible employee benefits packages across all sectors of business in the UK, this challenge will hopefully be easier to surmount in the future."

"Success lies in giving women the tools to improve their chances of gaining a promotion or pay rise. By investing time in training and development and encouraging women to ask for pay rises as a result of that training, more women can start to climb that ladder."

Men take home top salaries

The gender divide in marketing may be wider than first meets the eye, as the report reveals the overwhelming majority of top positions, such as CMOs and directors, are male, concluding that men are currently taking home most of the top salaries.

"Success lies in giving women the tools to improve their chances of gaining a promotion or pay rise", says Osman. "By investing time in training and development and encouraging women to ask for pay rises as a result of that training, more women can start to climb that ladder."

On the up-side, marketers overall are earning more, with a 9% increase YOY in those earning over £40,000 per annum. Marketers with sought-after skills, such as digital and CRM, continue to see better than average pay rises when moving roles.

Marketers are also more optimistic about their next annual bonus than they were previously, with 10% more expecting to receive a bonus of 10-39% than they did in 2016.

"It’s imperative that both employers and employees alike look to invest in training and development in 2018 and beyond."

Digital training investment is vital

Shockingly, 65% of respondents have not undertaken any digital marketing training in the last 12 months. And given the importance of mobile marketing, it’s concerning that 67% of marketers have little or no experience in this discipline.

This year EMR surveyed respondents on their artificial intelligence (AI) experience for the first time. The majority (60%) said they have no experience of AI at all.

"As more and more roles demand digital experience, it’s imperative that both employers and employees alike look to invest in training and development in 2018 and beyond", adds Osman.

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